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Bears of Firefly Valley #5
More Chances to Stay
Tattooed grumps, campfires, bears with bellies, steamy romps, and a town that loves unconditionally.
In Firefly Valley, getting lost might be the only way home.
Firefly Valley chewed me up and spat me out. I’m only back to help Mum. That’s it. Clean up the house, fix what needed fixing, and leave before the town drags me into their gossip. I have no interest in reconnecting. I left Firefly in the rearview mirror for a good reason.
Or so I thought.
I am not the only lost soul trying to make sense of life. Nick is an outsider, determined to confront where everything went wrong. He sees me. Not the baggage. Not the whispers about my past. Just me. Silence feels a little less lonely when he’s around.
I go camping to find some peace and quiet. Nick surprises me by tagging along. Somewhere between swimming butt-naked under the stars and sharing a sleeping bag, I find a reason to stop running from the pain of my past. Good news, nobody got eaten by a bear.
I thought I had put this damned town behind me. It’s still waiting with open arms.
More Chances to Stay is a M/M, snarky romance with an HFN and no cliffhangers. Be warned, there will be tattooed grumps, lost souls, bears with bellies, steamy romps, rediscovering home, and a town that loves unconditionally.
The Bears of Firefly Valley Series
* One Reason to Stay
* More Reason to Stay
* Every Reason to Stay
* One Chance to Stay
* More Chances to Stay
* Every Chance to Stay
In Firefly Valley, getting lost might be the only way home.
Firefly Valley chewed me up and spat me out. I’m only back to help Mum. That’s it. Clean up the house, fix what needed fixing, and leave before the town drags me into their gossip. I have no interest in reconnecting. I left Firefly in the rearview mirror for a good reason.
Or so I thought.
I am not the only lost soul trying to make sense of life. Nick is an outsider, determined to confront where everything went wrong. He sees me. Not the baggage. Not the whispers about my past. Just me. Silence feels a little less lonely when he’s around.
I go camping to find some peace and quiet. Nick surprises me by tagging along. Somewhere between swimming butt-naked under the stars and sharing a sleeping bag, I find a reason to stop running from the pain of my past. Good news, nobody got eaten by a bear.
I thought I had put this damned town behind me. It’s still waiting with open arms.
More Chances to Stay is a M/M, snarky romance with an HFN and no cliffhangers. Be warned, there will be tattooed grumps, lost souls, bears with bellies, steamy romps, rediscovering home, and a town that loves unconditionally.
The Bears of Firefly Valley Series
* One Reason to Stay
* More Reason to Stay
* Every Reason to Stay
* One Chance to Stay
* More Chances to Stay
* Every Chance to Stay
- GenresM M RomanceRomanceLGBT
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2026
About the author
Ryder O'Malley
40 books121 followers
Ryder O'Malley Website
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Ryder's Patreon
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Series Reading Order
The King of Bear Romance acts as if he doesn’t watch sappy movies. He won’t admit to daydreaming about ex-boyfriends and asking “What if…” He’s a closet romantic who gets anxious about first dates. While he calls himself a romance writer, he likes to think of it as fanfic about his life. Someday… it’ll become a reality. Until then, he’ll invent dreamy men that make him tear up at their insistence that love always wins.
The King of Bear Romance acts as if he doesn’t watch sappy movies. He won’t admit to daydreaming about ex-boyfriends and asking “What if…” He’s a closet romantic who gets anxious about first dates. While he calls himself a romance writer, he likes to think of it as fanfic about his life. Someday… it’ll become a reality. Until then, he’ll invent dreamy men that make him tear up at their insistence that love always wins.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 11, 2026
Cute, just like the others.
This one is about accepting you can’t change the past, but you can learn not to let it rule how you spend your future.
Charlie had some bad times in Firefly, and for the first time in this series, we see someone who fights against everything that has made the other books so charming. His reasons are good ones, but it’s a brave decision to move on and not let it come between you and happiness anymore.
Nick had been through a series of bad luck and is at rock bottom. He’s trying to break his ‘curse’ by coming back to where it all started.
Both of them are looking to find their way out of the pit they have found themselves in. I didn’t feel their connection as strongly as the others, but they were both still a cute couple.
There’s a slight repetitiveness to the story, but I think that’s because it’s part of a series in the same town with the same people doing the same thing. Despite that, the book is endearing, emotional, and enjoyable.
I do like the camaraderie. I like the crazy people of Firefly. It’s fun, sweet, and has very little drama like the others. They seem to have real-world issues but are written in a way that’s cathartic rather than heartbreaking.
Once again, the Bears of Firefly have come together to make another cute story.
………………………………………………………….
I got an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
This one is about accepting you can’t change the past, but you can learn not to let it rule how you spend your future.
Charlie had some bad times in Firefly, and for the first time in this series, we see someone who fights against everything that has made the other books so charming. His reasons are good ones, but it’s a brave decision to move on and not let it come between you and happiness anymore.
Nick had been through a series of bad luck and is at rock bottom. He’s trying to break his ‘curse’ by coming back to where it all started.
Both of them are looking to find their way out of the pit they have found themselves in. I didn’t feel their connection as strongly as the others, but they were both still a cute couple.
There’s a slight repetitiveness to the story, but I think that’s because it’s part of a series in the same town with the same people doing the same thing. Despite that, the book is endearing, emotional, and enjoyable.
I do like the camaraderie. I like the crazy people of Firefly. It’s fun, sweet, and has very little drama like the others. They seem to have real-world issues but are written in a way that’s cathartic rather than heartbreaking.
Once again, the Bears of Firefly have come together to make another cute story.
………………………………………………………….
I got an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
February 19, 2026
Heartfelt and sad and absorbing
I've read all Ryder's books and loved them. This may be my favourite of them all, and it's definitely my favourite cover. It's a bit of a departure for Ryder because this one is more personal for him and, to me, it showed. I found it very emotional, and I ached for the bullied boy Charlie was and the man he'd become as a result.
Ryder's books are written from a single POV and Charlie is the narrator here. Not everyone loves their hometown and Charlie ran from his and stayed away. His parents were wonderful but his life at school was not. I felt so bad for not only Charlie but his mum and dad, who were his staunchest supporters.
Charlie's eye is caught by a visitor to Firefly, Nick, who appeared briefly in the previous book. Nick is quiet and sad and Charlie is unsettled and wary but there's a definite pull between them. It's all very low key, but quite beautiful when they're alone in the forest. The intimacy happens quickly but it feels right for them.
I have to admit, I have two favourite things about this book. The three 'gremlins' were worth their weight in gold and they stole every scene they were in. More importantly, Charlie called out Gladys and I cheered. Chief Gossip of Firefly, she needed to hear what he said. I can't stand busybodies and she was the worst.
This is an HFN, as stated in the blurb, and it appeared that they will do long-distance for the time being. Then I got what I expected to be a bonus scene, through Ryder's website, and it was actually five short chapters that gave us their HEA and made me so happy.
I can't wait to read Every Chance to Stay as I begged for Mabel's story in one of my previous reviews.
I've read all Ryder's books and loved them. This may be my favourite of them all, and it's definitely my favourite cover. It's a bit of a departure for Ryder because this one is more personal for him and, to me, it showed. I found it very emotional, and I ached for the bullied boy Charlie was and the man he'd become as a result.
Ryder's books are written from a single POV and Charlie is the narrator here. Not everyone loves their hometown and Charlie ran from his and stayed away. His parents were wonderful but his life at school was not. I felt so bad for not only Charlie but his mum and dad, who were his staunchest supporters.
Charlie's eye is caught by a visitor to Firefly, Nick, who appeared briefly in the previous book. Nick is quiet and sad and Charlie is unsettled and wary but there's a definite pull between them. It's all very low key, but quite beautiful when they're alone in the forest. The intimacy happens quickly but it feels right for them.
I have to admit, I have two favourite things about this book. The three 'gremlins' were worth their weight in gold and they stole every scene they were in. More importantly, Charlie called out Gladys and I cheered. Chief Gossip of Firefly, she needed to hear what he said. I can't stand busybodies and she was the worst.
This is an HFN, as stated in the blurb, and it appeared that they will do long-distance for the time being. Then I got what I expected to be a bonus scene, through Ryder's website, and it was actually five short chapters that gave us their HEA and made me so happy.
I can't wait to read Every Chance to Stay as I begged for Mabel's story in one of my previous reviews.
February 5, 2026
This is my absolute favorite of the series (so far....)
Charlie returns to Firefly to help his mother after his father passes. He hasn't been back in years because the town treated him poorly during his childhood, and he's still pretty sure they don't like him and he doesn't like them. His tattoo parlor in Boston has close down due to the sale of the building, so he is at loose ends. He meets Nick, who is a visitor in town, and there's immediate attraction.
This book mostly revolves around Charlie's return to a place he hated, and him figuring out that he really does belong if he can just learn to grow up and move on. Charlie's journey is just done SO WELL, it's so interesting and believable that I couldn't put it down.
The one thing that seemed odd was that the romance was left as more of a HFN, as they didn't live in the same town when the book ended, and they were going to continue dating through visits and phone calls. There's an additional chapter (one year later) that exists as an extra to download that gives them their HEA and answers the question about what Charlie chooses to do in the future. Seems like it should have been included with the book. So, do yourself a favor and be sure to download the last chapter (link is at the end of the book).
Charlie returns to Firefly to help his mother after his father passes. He hasn't been back in years because the town treated him poorly during his childhood, and he's still pretty sure they don't like him and he doesn't like them. His tattoo parlor in Boston has close down due to the sale of the building, so he is at loose ends. He meets Nick, who is a visitor in town, and there's immediate attraction.
This book mostly revolves around Charlie's return to a place he hated, and him figuring out that he really does belong if he can just learn to grow up and move on. Charlie's journey is just done SO WELL, it's so interesting and believable that I couldn't put it down.
The one thing that seemed odd was that the romance was left as more of a HFN, as they didn't live in the same town when the book ended, and they were going to continue dating through visits and phone calls. There's an additional chapter (one year later) that exists as an extra to download that gives them their HEA and answers the question about what Charlie chooses to do in the future. Seems like it should have been included with the book. So, do yourself a favor and be sure to download the last chapter (link is at the end of the book).
February 14, 2026
Intense! Firefly is a town that grows on you. Charlie, reluctantly returned to Firefly to help family. He wanted to get out as soon as he completed his mission. Nick is able to see deep into who Charlie really is. They are each carrying a bit of baggage, but their relationship facilitates lightening the loads. Ryder creates these men with a gentle hand giving them sensitive hearts and broad shoulders. Hot cover art, loveable characters and great flow. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 22, 2026
This one had a slightly different vibe to the rest of the Bears of Firefly books, but it was still sweet and heartfelt.
Charlie comes back to Firefly after his dad’s death to help his mum, and you can really feel how uncomfortable he is being back in a place tied to a lot of bad memories. He was bullied growing up, left as soon as he could, and carries a lot of guilt about cutting himself off from his family. Nick, on the other hand, shows up at rock bottom after a string of bad luck and genuinely believes he’s cursed. They’re both kind of emotionally bruised and not really in the headspace for romance at first, and that shows in how slowly their connection builds.
I didn’t feel their romantic spark quite as strongly as some of the other couples in the series, but I still found them really endearing. This book felt more about healing and finding your place than about big swoony romance, and I appreciated that. It’s very much about learning you can’t change the past, but you don’t have to let it dictate your future.
As always, the best part for me was the town itself. The nosy, caring, slightly ridiculous Firefly locals and the found-family vibes are still so comforting. The camaraderie, the familiar faces, and the gentle way the town pulls people back in is what makes this series such a cozy read. It’s low drama, emotionally cathartic rather than heavy, and just really nice to sink into.
Overall, another cute, warm installment in the series. Firefly continues to be the kind of place you low-key want to move to, meddlesome bears and all.
Charlie comes back to Firefly after his dad’s death to help his mum, and you can really feel how uncomfortable he is being back in a place tied to a lot of bad memories. He was bullied growing up, left as soon as he could, and carries a lot of guilt about cutting himself off from his family. Nick, on the other hand, shows up at rock bottom after a string of bad luck and genuinely believes he’s cursed. They’re both kind of emotionally bruised and not really in the headspace for romance at first, and that shows in how slowly their connection builds.
I didn’t feel their romantic spark quite as strongly as some of the other couples in the series, but I still found them really endearing. This book felt more about healing and finding your place than about big swoony romance, and I appreciated that. It’s very much about learning you can’t change the past, but you don’t have to let it dictate your future.
As always, the best part for me was the town itself. The nosy, caring, slightly ridiculous Firefly locals and the found-family vibes are still so comforting. The camaraderie, the familiar faces, and the gentle way the town pulls people back in is what makes this series such a cozy read. It’s low drama, emotionally cathartic rather than heavy, and just really nice to sink into.
Overall, another cute, warm installment in the series. Firefly continues to be the kind of place you low-key want to move to, meddlesome bears and all.
March 6, 2026
The blurb sets the story up very well, two men dealing with past hurts, Charlie living with trauma from his early years in Firefly Valley, fleeing as soon as he graduated high school, and Nick fleeing from a curse that seemed to originate in Firefly Valley, then spread out from there.
Charlie has held onto hurts for twenty years, avoiding the Valley and his parents all that time. He is back now, just long enough to help his mom, missing his Pops who has passed, but who inhabits so many of Charlie’s memories. He has had so much anger buried for all those years, his guard is up from day one, ready to protect himself from town gossip and perceived slights, and this is added to the guilt he feels for staying away from his parents for so long, the only support he felt he had growing up in this small town. But he finds himself drawn to a sad young outsider in town with an exuberant friend, curious and wanting to get to know him more.
Nick has been dragged back to Firefly Valley by his friend Lacie, all to try to reverse a “curse” he feels started here. Charlie sees something special in Nick, Nick sees Charlie as he is, and the two are drawn together when they take a camping trip in the woods, something Charlie did with his Pops before he outgrew it as a teen, but it is a memory he cherishes and one he shares with Nick. This is where an attraction grows and a tentative relationship begins, then deepens once they are back in town as both weave in and out of each other’s lives. Nick faces his own demons, and the two help each other as both grow beyond what tormented them when they first met.
As Charlie comes to grips with his anger and his memories, he realizes he is learning things about himself, his perceptions of his youth, and how to accept his past and changes to like the person he is becoming. Reconnecting with the calming feeling of being in the woods, using the survival skills his father passed down to him and feeling his father’s presence in the woods helps with the anger he is dealing with. Once it is known that he is camping in the woods, he is coerced into acting as a scoutmaster to three middle school boys. The “gremlins” are a handful, and teaching them survival skills to prepare for the big camping trip he is to take them on is a challenge which he resents at first, but then actually comes to enjoy (don’t tell Charlie I said that!). The gremlins and Nick are pivotal in Charlie’s growth in realizing some things about himself, his relationship with his memories and the people in the town, what he wants at this point in his life, and how to move forward.
This was a compelling and engaging story about coming to terms with life events that cannot be changed, evaluating perceptions from a different perspective, letting down walls, and letting people in to help grow yourself. It’s about accepting responsibility and embracing change to become a better and happier person in yourself and with others.
The Afterward added a special insight into the story, deepening the impact of it, making the message even more relatable and meaningful, whether we have made the same journey ourselves, or maybe are given the courage to do so in the future. Well worth the read, even to just encourage some reflection and introspection. Lots of important thoughts there.
I received an advance copy for free and this is my voluntary review.
Charlie has held onto hurts for twenty years, avoiding the Valley and his parents all that time. He is back now, just long enough to help his mom, missing his Pops who has passed, but who inhabits so many of Charlie’s memories. He has had so much anger buried for all those years, his guard is up from day one, ready to protect himself from town gossip and perceived slights, and this is added to the guilt he feels for staying away from his parents for so long, the only support he felt he had growing up in this small town. But he finds himself drawn to a sad young outsider in town with an exuberant friend, curious and wanting to get to know him more.
Nick has been dragged back to Firefly Valley by his friend Lacie, all to try to reverse a “curse” he feels started here. Charlie sees something special in Nick, Nick sees Charlie as he is, and the two are drawn together when they take a camping trip in the woods, something Charlie did with his Pops before he outgrew it as a teen, but it is a memory he cherishes and one he shares with Nick. This is where an attraction grows and a tentative relationship begins, then deepens once they are back in town as both weave in and out of each other’s lives. Nick faces his own demons, and the two help each other as both grow beyond what tormented them when they first met.
As Charlie comes to grips with his anger and his memories, he realizes he is learning things about himself, his perceptions of his youth, and how to accept his past and changes to like the person he is becoming. Reconnecting with the calming feeling of being in the woods, using the survival skills his father passed down to him and feeling his father’s presence in the woods helps with the anger he is dealing with. Once it is known that he is camping in the woods, he is coerced into acting as a scoutmaster to three middle school boys. The “gremlins” are a handful, and teaching them survival skills to prepare for the big camping trip he is to take them on is a challenge which he resents at first, but then actually comes to enjoy (don’t tell Charlie I said that!). The gremlins and Nick are pivotal in Charlie’s growth in realizing some things about himself, his relationship with his memories and the people in the town, what he wants at this point in his life, and how to move forward.
This was a compelling and engaging story about coming to terms with life events that cannot be changed, evaluating perceptions from a different perspective, letting down walls, and letting people in to help grow yourself. It’s about accepting responsibility and embracing change to become a better and happier person in yourself and with others.
The Afterward added a special insight into the story, deepening the impact of it, making the message even more relatable and meaningful, whether we have made the same journey ourselves, or maybe are given the courage to do so in the future. Well worth the read, even to just encourage some reflection and introspection. Lots of important thoughts there.
I received an advance copy for free and this is my voluntary review.
February 12, 2026
Returning to the town you grew up in can sometimes come with mixed blessings. Charlie is back I Firefly Valley for many reasons, most of them not that positive and yet everyone around him seems determined to make it a positive change, to see the best in it. Then Charlie meets Nick, well bumps into might be a better description! Nick isn’t exactly there by choice either, his best friend Lacie has dragged him there in hopes of removing what she considers to be his curse. Of them all Lacie is the one who embraces everything about Firefly and who, in her own unique way, shows them what the town has to offer and why there are so many reasons to stay.
For Charlie perhaps the biggest surprise is how many ‘bears’ there are, as he considers the men around his own size. He soon discovers there are many more surprises waiting to be uncovered, if he takes the time to look. One of these is Nick who has plenty of his own hang ups and issues to deal with but somehow the pair are thrown together time after time and the mire it happens the closer they become, the more they become to one another.
Firefly Valley is home to all sorts. It is home. That is the key to its nature and it wants to help both Charlie and Nick see that. They are the epitome of the grump and the sunshine but they are also made for one another and Ryder O’Malley takes us on a fascinating journey exploring emotions, feelings, meanings of home and family as we, along with Charlie and Nick, discover there is so much more to places and to people than meets the eye. Approach this story with an open mind and you will find that open mind extended, you’ll see yourself looking at the world around you differently and you will most definitely be smiling!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
For Charlie perhaps the biggest surprise is how many ‘bears’ there are, as he considers the men around his own size. He soon discovers there are many more surprises waiting to be uncovered, if he takes the time to look. One of these is Nick who has plenty of his own hang ups and issues to deal with but somehow the pair are thrown together time after time and the mire it happens the closer they become, the more they become to one another.
Firefly Valley is home to all sorts. It is home. That is the key to its nature and it wants to help both Charlie and Nick see that. They are the epitome of the grump and the sunshine but they are also made for one another and Ryder O’Malley takes us on a fascinating journey exploring emotions, feelings, meanings of home and family as we, along with Charlie and Nick, discover there is so much more to places and to people than meets the eye. Approach this story with an open mind and you will find that open mind extended, you’ll see yourself looking at the world around you differently and you will most definitely be smiling!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 20, 2026
Coming back to Firefly Valley is always a treat. There's just something about this town and its beautifully messy residents that feels like coming home, even when Ryder O'Malley's characters are fighting the same feeling. There are many series that have great characters, but this series continues to be one of the best examples of how to write perfectly flawed, sometimes broken men who grow, heal, change, and have a truly satisfying development arc over the course of a story.
Watching Charlie wrestle with his past, his pride, and the weight of small-town memories felt familiar and painfully real. But in Nick, he finds someone who is steady and perceptive ... and maybe a little cursed. But they see past each other's baggage and flaws, until they simply see each other, and that's where the heart of O'Malley's stories live. Their connection unfolds in the kind of quiet you'd expect in a small town that doesn't know how to mind its business, and it builds into something they both deserve.
If you've been reading this series all along, you won't be disappointed. If you haven't yet found your way to Firefly Valley, stop and go start at book 1. You're missing out on an incredible series and you won't be disappointed.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
Watching Charlie wrestle with his past, his pride, and the weight of small-town memories felt familiar and painfully real. But in Nick, he finds someone who is steady and perceptive ... and maybe a little cursed. But they see past each other's baggage and flaws, until they simply see each other, and that's where the heart of O'Malley's stories live. Their connection unfolds in the kind of quiet you'd expect in a small town that doesn't know how to mind its business, and it builds into something they both deserve.
If you've been reading this series all along, you won't be disappointed. If you haven't yet found your way to Firefly Valley, stop and go start at book 1. You're missing out on an incredible series and you won't be disappointed.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
March 18, 2026
Charlie and Nick returning to Firefly Valley shouldn’t feel easy—it should feel heavy, almost suffocating at first. Every place, every street, every familiar face can trigger the trauma and bad memories they tried to leave behind. It makes sense that anyone would question why they came back at all.
Charlie and Nick don’t come back because it’s easy—they come back because, in some way, they need to face what broke them.
Their connection can be the anchor. They don’t have to be “healed” right away—in fact, it’s more powerful if they aren’t.
Certain moments cause them to pull away from each other before they learn to lean in instead
That contrast is powerful:
The same valley that held their worst moments becomes the place where they rebuild, together.
So yes—Charlie and Nick can help each other overcome those memories. Not by erasing the past, but by proving that it doesn’t get to define their future.
Charlie and Nick don’t come back because it’s easy—they come back because, in some way, they need to face what broke them.
Their connection can be the anchor. They don’t have to be “healed” right away—in fact, it’s more powerful if they aren’t.
Certain moments cause them to pull away from each other before they learn to lean in instead
That contrast is powerful:
The same valley that held their worst moments becomes the place where they rebuild, together.
So yes—Charlie and Nick can help each other overcome those memories. Not by erasing the past, but by proving that it doesn’t get to define their future.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This one was the best one yet. I think it’s because it shows healing. The past isn’t always pretty nor our roads always smooth. That journey shapes us. Grief reminds us of the things we didn’t do and say just as much as what we did. I know younger me wouldn’t have gotten as much out of it as I do now. This author has a gift of sharing real emotions even if the situations aren’t the same. Charlie shows his life on his skin while clinging to his armor. I’m so glad we got this through his eyes. Nick has a story too but getting it this way was best. I hope we get more from this town. I need to know how Matt’s dad is doing and we need Mabel to find love too.
February 17, 2026
I absolutely love the Firefly Valley books. This one made me realize that I could have had a similar experience growing up, had the small town I lived in been less spread out.
I loved watching Charlie’s journey from resenting this place he felt he needed to escape, to ultimately understanding it and its residents. And Nick… sweet Nick. These two men have an interesting road ahead of them and I’d love to see them a few years from the end of the book, living in Firefly Valley and thriving together.
I loved watching Charlie’s journey from resenting this place he felt he needed to escape, to ultimately understanding it and its residents. And Nick… sweet Nick. These two men have an interesting road ahead of them and I’d love to see them a few years from the end of the book, living in Firefly Valley and thriving together.
February 19, 2026
With book five in this series, I feel at home in Firefly. Each book makes me want to live in this magical place with these magical people. In this book we meet Charlie and Nick, Charlie left this town much after being bullied and he never looked back. He is only back as his mom needs help so he begrudgingly comes back to the town he vowed never to return to. He meets Nick, a new resident, but also a man down on his luck after a series of bad situations. But somehow these two connect. I loved watching them grow individually while also growing as a couple. A nice read.
February 22, 2026
This is a sweet story of healing and getting to understand that you can go back. Charlie has some awakening to do and Nick has some getting over to do. They manage very well to get this all going together. The story is well written and the characters a believable. There is a scout troupe that had me laughing out loud more than once. I really enjoyed this book! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
February 26, 2026
Charlie's experiences as a young man hit home and made it clear why he got out of Firefly as soon as possible. He's a good man, though, and returns to help his mother while planning to get out again as soon as that is accomplished. Once there, he meets Nick and as they get to know each other and get closer, he begins to see Firefly in a new light. This is another excellent entry in the series and some necessary truths get spoken here that I found very satisfying.
March 10, 2026
Finding love after past trauma is never easy. Charlie escaped as soon as he graduated from high school. Nick was trying to escape a curse. Both originating in Firefly Valley. Charlie has to return when his mother needs help. His plans to later leave were thwarted after running into Nick. Taking time to know one another was the best thing for both and allowed true healing.
I received this arc from GRR for my honest feedback.
I received this arc from GRR for my honest feedback.
February 17, 2026
I am just so smitten with this series. I absolutely love this small town. I want to get myself a little house with a front porch and rocking chair so I can sit there and watch everything go on in town. I really enjoyed the build-up the relationship between the characters. About the author did a lovely job of giving us a story that was definitely perfect for them.
February 18, 2026
Oh how I do love those silly gentle bears of Firefly Valley. This book was no different, blinking loved it! Patiently waiting for book 6 although I also don’t want it released yet because it will be the last one … I’m not ready to say goodbye to these beautiful souls yet 🥺
February 24, 2026
Twenty years ago, Charlie left Firefly Valley with no plans to ever come back. Now he's back because of his father's death and to help his mother. He meets Nick, who has his own problems, and knows he'll do anything for him. I really enjoyed this book.
February 27, 2026
Sometimes acknowledgment is enough.
I don't know how this is relatable when I'm neither a bear nor a survivalist, but it is. A good read that cleared my head of stress as they lived theirs. I received an advanced readers copy and am giving my honest review.
I don't know how this is relatable when I'm neither a bear nor a survivalist, but it is. A good read that cleared my head of stress as they lived theirs. I received an advanced readers copy and am giving my honest review.
March 27, 2026
I've really enjoyed this Bears of Firefly Valley series! This is book 5 and was a great addition to the series. It's a fun, sweet story about learning to move on from your past and let good things happen. I enjoyed coming back to visit Firefly and I hope for more stories here!
February 17, 2026
This was an very enjoyable read. I enjoyed every minute of it.
March 18, 2026
Enjoyable
I enjoyed Charlie and Nick’s story! It’s sweet and angsty, romantic and funny, and a lovely addition to the Bears of Firefly Valley series.
I enjoyed Charlie and Nick’s story! It’s sweet and angsty, romantic and funny, and a lovely addition to the Bears of Firefly Valley series.
February 14, 2026
More Chances to Stay by Ryder O'Malley, is the 5th book in his Bears of Firefly Valley series, one of my favorite MM romance series because who doesn't love a small town romance with bears, cold weather, and nosey townspeople?
Here we meet Charlie, a former local, who was bullied growing up and left as soon as he was old enough to. He left his loving parents behind but when he hear's his mother has hurt her foot, he reluctantly goes back to town with a chip on his shoulder. He low-key feels guilty for cutting off contact with his parents, especially his father who passed not long ago.
We also have Nick, who we met very briefly in book 4, One Chance to Stay. While there are two MMC and two POVs, I wanna say it's more Charlie's story. Anyways, Nick comes to town believing he's cursed. His boyfriend broke up on the first night of their vacation at Firefly Valley. Not to mention losing his job and apartment around the same time. Yeah, I'd say he's cursed. At this point he could not possibly fathom anything good could happen in his life. Until his bestie Lacie takes him back to where it all started, Firefly.
These two gentlemen are easily relatable; being bullied is an unfortunate growing pain, and adulting isn't easy. Low points in your life tend to stay with you. Nick's sadness and Charlie's defensiveness keeps them isolated from the town. Fortunately the nosey, caring and low-key helpful townspeople have a way of drawing them into the community.
As a former resident, Charlie still has a little Firefly inquisitiveness in him and takes it upon himself to befriend the down and out Nick. A camping trip brings them closer but they're both afraid to start something because they don't live in Firefly permanently. If you're familiar with the series, you can expect old friends and new begin to cajole them into moving there for good.
Charlie and Nick go through their own individual healing, ultimately helping their own relationship and their relationships with others. As he feels the spirit of his father, guiding him into making the good choices, he learns more about him and his parents, ultimately leaving him with the need to stay in town. What can a tattoo artist do in a wholesome town like Firefly?
Although Charlie initially hates the meddlesome town, he learns their gossiping isn't malicious. What's in the past is in the past. People truly do care about him and each other! It might be a small town but the population is growing, with some sexy, sweet and loving bears.
Much thanks to Gay Romance Reviews and the Publisher and Author for providing me with an ARC for an honest review! 🫶🏽
Here we meet Charlie, a former local, who was bullied growing up and left as soon as he was old enough to. He left his loving parents behind but when he hear's his mother has hurt her foot, he reluctantly goes back to town with a chip on his shoulder. He low-key feels guilty for cutting off contact with his parents, especially his father who passed not long ago.
We also have Nick, who we met very briefly in book 4, One Chance to Stay. While there are two MMC and two POVs, I wanna say it's more Charlie's story. Anyways, Nick comes to town believing he's cursed. His boyfriend broke up on the first night of their vacation at Firefly Valley. Not to mention losing his job and apartment around the same time. Yeah, I'd say he's cursed. At this point he could not possibly fathom anything good could happen in his life. Until his bestie Lacie takes him back to where it all started, Firefly.
These two gentlemen are easily relatable; being bullied is an unfortunate growing pain, and adulting isn't easy. Low points in your life tend to stay with you. Nick's sadness and Charlie's defensiveness keeps them isolated from the town. Fortunately the nosey, caring and low-key helpful townspeople have a way of drawing them into the community.
As a former resident, Charlie still has a little Firefly inquisitiveness in him and takes it upon himself to befriend the down and out Nick. A camping trip brings them closer but they're both afraid to start something because they don't live in Firefly permanently. If you're familiar with the series, you can expect old friends and new begin to cajole them into moving there for good.
Charlie and Nick go through their own individual healing, ultimately helping their own relationship and their relationships with others. As he feels the spirit of his father, guiding him into making the good choices, he learns more about him and his parents, ultimately leaving him with the need to stay in town. What can a tattoo artist do in a wholesome town like Firefly?
Although Charlie initially hates the meddlesome town, he learns their gossiping isn't malicious. What's in the past is in the past. People truly do care about him and each other! It might be a small town but the population is growing, with some sexy, sweet and loving bears.
Much thanks to Gay Romance Reviews and the Publisher and Author for providing me with an ARC for an honest review! 🫶🏽
February 16, 2026
brass compass, belly laugher, α & Ω, Moxie, Beatrice, city cub, nature's Legos, squeaky gremlin, cerulean, gremlin fungus, whiskey vs whisky, firm foot in the butt, Finsta, the Mabel Syrup de-curse, lube & pocket knife
Pops sounds like he was a great father and man, like someone I'd like to get to know. It's just too bad Charlie realizes this fact too late. He loves his parents and knows he is loved by them. But now, Pops is gone.
Charlie Sanford and Nick Johnson are the featured bears of this book. Charlie is back in Firefly Valley to help his widowed mom after she broke her ankle. (Or was it a bad sprain?) While there, he's confronted by his painful past and the hurt and anger he's carried all this time.
Nick walks through his life under dark unlucky cloud. He believes it's because of karma he feels he deserves. His best friend, Lacie believes his ex-boyfriend placed a curse on him. Lacie is a scary force of nature who has immediately embraced life in the town of Firefly and its quirky townfolk.
Both bears and Lacie meet due to an unfortunate incident with a slushie in front of the grocery store. Nick is flustered by it. Charlie is warily smitten by the Flatlander cub and is bemused by his tornado of a friend.
Charlie refuses to get sucked into his small town roots. He's only staying until his mother recovers. He can't wait until his mom heals and tries to decide his next phase of his life after he escapes the town he already once fled from.
Nick was dragged to Firefly by Lacie in order to break the curse. He is withdrawn and is hesitant to move on from his life. He believes bad luck will strike down anything good he attempts. But, a certain heavily tattooed bear is determined to get him out of his place under those dark clouds.
I enjoyed myself completely and immensely. I can't find anything bad or wrong with this book. You can probably get away with reading this as a standalone. I've read the other books in this series, and can honestly say I have a better appreciation for this story. I recommend this.
Pops sounds like he was a great father and man, like someone I'd like to get to know. It's just too bad Charlie realizes this fact too late. He loves his parents and knows he is loved by them. But now, Pops is gone.
Charlie Sanford and Nick Johnson are the featured bears of this book. Charlie is back in Firefly Valley to help his widowed mom after she broke her ankle. (Or was it a bad sprain?) While there, he's confronted by his painful past and the hurt and anger he's carried all this time.
Nick walks through his life under dark unlucky cloud. He believes it's because of karma he feels he deserves. His best friend, Lacie believes his ex-boyfriend placed a curse on him. Lacie is a scary force of nature who has immediately embraced life in the town of Firefly and its quirky townfolk.
Both bears and Lacie meet due to an unfortunate incident with a slushie in front of the grocery store. Nick is flustered by it. Charlie is warily smitten by the Flatlander cub and is bemused by his tornado of a friend.
Charlie refuses to get sucked into his small town roots. He's only staying until his mother recovers. He can't wait until his mom heals and tries to decide his next phase of his life after he escapes the town he already once fled from.
Nick was dragged to Firefly by Lacie in order to break the curse. He is withdrawn and is hesitant to move on from his life. He believes bad luck will strike down anything good he attempts. But, a certain heavily tattooed bear is determined to get him out of his place under those dark clouds.
I enjoyed myself completely and immensely. I can't find anything bad or wrong with this book. You can probably get away with reading this as a standalone. I've read the other books in this series, and can honestly say I have a better appreciation for this story. I recommend this.
February 18, 2026
MY OPINION: I am always glad to see another book in this series. I’ve read books 2-4, and this is the fifth. I plan to pick up book one to round out the series. With that, this is a special series. The focus is not on the perfect man but on slightly broken and bent people who are doing their best. This includes their bodies, which in the community are considered bears.
Both of these men find themselves in Firefly because they are running away from their lives. This town sucks people in. Unless you resist its inevitability, there is more than what you see.
When Charlie comes home its the first time since he fled from the small-town culture and the bullies that made him run. He had done well until life changed, and seeing his mum in that miserable town was something he needed to do. What he learns while home reroutes his thoughts and his heart because he meets Nick.
Nick has had a rough go and planned to be in Firefly for another reason. That reason changed, but when he meets Charlie, he realizes that maybe this was why he ended up there.
This book has a full complement of the town being nosy and ‘helpful’. Within that, there is a lot of soul-searching from Charlie. He faces the future and the past, which gives him hope for the present. These characters are fun, and there is some great spice. Nothing is hidden in Ryder’s words; you see the raw parts of the characters.
The end of the book leaves us with a question mark, but hope. Falling under an HFN and not the HEA that I crave, but the town of Firefly makes up for that. Ryder promises an update on their story in a free download. I really hope things worked out for them, but they had a planned path.
This is a great series, written so well and featuring such a crazy cast of characters. They are readable on their own, but all of them are the way to go.
Both of these men find themselves in Firefly because they are running away from their lives. This town sucks people in. Unless you resist its inevitability, there is more than what you see.
When Charlie comes home its the first time since he fled from the small-town culture and the bullies that made him run. He had done well until life changed, and seeing his mum in that miserable town was something he needed to do. What he learns while home reroutes his thoughts and his heart because he meets Nick.
Nick has had a rough go and planned to be in Firefly for another reason. That reason changed, but when he meets Charlie, he realizes that maybe this was why he ended up there.
This book has a full complement of the town being nosy and ‘helpful’. Within that, there is a lot of soul-searching from Charlie. He faces the future and the past, which gives him hope for the present. These characters are fun, and there is some great spice. Nothing is hidden in Ryder’s words; you see the raw parts of the characters.
The end of the book leaves us with a question mark, but hope. Falling under an HFN and not the HEA that I crave, but the town of Firefly makes up for that. Ryder promises an update on their story in a free download. I really hope things worked out for them, but they had a planned path.
This is a great series, written so well and featuring such a crazy cast of characters. They are readable on their own, but all of them are the way to go.
February 11, 2026
Thank you GRR for the ARC
“More Chances to Stay” is told through the POV of Charlie, a man who has left Firefly after enduring a lot of bullying for being gay. He is now back to take care of his mother, but he can’t stop thinking about how the small town hurt him before. Nick is new to Firefly, he doesn’t know how “bad” the people could be, so when he meets Charlie, they realise they both have a lot of healing to do if they can have a chance for a forever.
I say this is told via Charlie's POV, because this is a first person with a single point of view. We see everything through Charlie's glasses, and a lot of times, it’s really hard to understand Nick, mostly because Charlie himself is focusing on his past and how Firefly hurt him before. While Nick’s plotline is more about his unlucky streak of his life: him being fired, his boyfriend dumping him, just a series of bad luck, Charlie’s story is sadder. He resents Firefly for everything they caused him, and he has a really hard time to get used to being back. Every time he sees someone doing something, he expects people to gossip, to judge. He makes a lot of assumptions and he doesn’t treat people that well. It’s not that Charlie is a bad person, he’s a little rough, and we can see it in how he treats Nick at the beginning. But the more time they spend together and with Nick, they are allowed to be themselves with each other, their romance is nice. It’s clear that they still have some healing to do and this relationship is a work in progress (I mean, which one isn’t), but I can feel that there is a lot of potential for a great love story. This was mostly focused on Charlie and his past, so that now he can move on.
This seems to be a HFN, so I hope they follow up would be from Nick’s POV. I really missed knowing more about him. In books like these, I like either dual POV or 3rd POV, but if this book is from Charlie and the next one is with Nick, we get both, and I’m on board with that. I feel like this book was definitely Charlie’s journey to healing from his past, and now he can start working on his future with Nick.
“More Chances to Stay” is told through the POV of Charlie, a man who has left Firefly after enduring a lot of bullying for being gay. He is now back to take care of his mother, but he can’t stop thinking about how the small town hurt him before. Nick is new to Firefly, he doesn’t know how “bad” the people could be, so when he meets Charlie, they realise they both have a lot of healing to do if they can have a chance for a forever.
I say this is told via Charlie's POV, because this is a first person with a single point of view. We see everything through Charlie's glasses, and a lot of times, it’s really hard to understand Nick, mostly because Charlie himself is focusing on his past and how Firefly hurt him before. While Nick’s plotline is more about his unlucky streak of his life: him being fired, his boyfriend dumping him, just a series of bad luck, Charlie’s story is sadder. He resents Firefly for everything they caused him, and he has a really hard time to get used to being back. Every time he sees someone doing something, he expects people to gossip, to judge. He makes a lot of assumptions and he doesn’t treat people that well. It’s not that Charlie is a bad person, he’s a little rough, and we can see it in how he treats Nick at the beginning. But the more time they spend together and with Nick, they are allowed to be themselves with each other, their romance is nice. It’s clear that they still have some healing to do and this relationship is a work in progress (I mean, which one isn’t), but I can feel that there is a lot of potential for a great love story. This was mostly focused on Charlie and his past, so that now he can move on.
This seems to be a HFN, so I hope they follow up would be from Nick’s POV. I really missed knowing more about him. In books like these, I like either dual POV or 3rd POV, but if this book is from Charlie and the next one is with Nick, we get both, and I’m on board with that. I feel like this book was definitely Charlie’s journey to healing from his past, and now he can start working on his future with Nick.
February 9, 2026
4.25/5. It was delightfully fucking wholesome. Very much a journey of healing and doing some heavy-as-fuck light work on yourself. It was gentle and heartening. The romance was interspersed betwixt all the intertwined inner demon battles, and it made it all the more special that it healed the broken things (and humans) all-around by just quietly bebop-ing about, doing its own little thing. It was a read that definitely hit the finer points of grief and small towns and life imploding as it explodes all over everyone, and yet it was comforting to share in the sentiment behind the story. Fuck you so hard, Royston, but also you could suck more than you do and you aren’t Natchez. I love to hate you and I don’t not miss you. All said and done, I would shelve this book as a comfy energy read. Light without being flippant, relevant without being overbearingly heavy. We can all relate, ya know?
I am so tired this makes no sense so I loved it and it was great despite needing some cleaning up for repetition and redundancy I am doing my best so don’t be mean to me.
—I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own.—
I am so tired this makes no sense so I loved it and it was great despite needing some cleaning up for repetition and redundancy I am doing my best so don’t be mean to me.
—I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own.—
February 13, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
This is the fifth book of the Bears of Firefly Valley series by Ryder O’Malley, and while reading the others would help, it’s not strictly necessary. Each book stands alone, with individual couples that are only tangentially related to others in the series. Where it makes more sense, and is more helpful, is the secondary characters, who play a role in each book and their kooky, meddlesome ways are more understood.
I really felt for Charlie and I was so glad he ended up in a good place. I was glad to go along on his journey and jump back into the world of Firefly Valley. But the pacing, the lack of explanation, the disjointedness, and the lack of romance worked against the book for me. As much as I enjoy this world the author has created, I wanted more from this book. But if you’ve been reading along, and enjoy small town shenanigans, then pick this one up to keep things going.
Read Kris’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
This is the fifth book of the Bears of Firefly Valley series by Ryder O’Malley, and while reading the others would help, it’s not strictly necessary. Each book stands alone, with individual couples that are only tangentially related to others in the series. Where it makes more sense, and is more helpful, is the secondary characters, who play a role in each book and their kooky, meddlesome ways are more understood.
I really felt for Charlie and I was so glad he ended up in a good place. I was glad to go along on his journey and jump back into the world of Firefly Valley. But the pacing, the lack of explanation, the disjointedness, and the lack of romance worked against the book for me. As much as I enjoy this world the author has created, I wanted more from this book. But if you’ve been reading along, and enjoy small town shenanigans, then pick this one up to keep things going.
Read Kris’s review in its entirety here.
February 15, 2026
I'm going to round up on this one from 2.5. This was decent, but I didn't really connect with it until much further along in the story than I would have liked. I like to listen to text-to-speech of books because I listen while doing other things (I enjoyed this one while walking through a local park at night and looking at the lights), but because O'Malley doesn't start the chapter with a marker indicating which character perspective the chapter is from, it is very hard to pin down the characters! I couldn't keep straight what the back story was for each of these characters for the first 25% of the book, which really made it hard to get invested in the story. Overall, by the end I would say it was a decent enough story, but yeah, just having the character whose perpsective it is (and "Chapter Two" etc. headings) would really help a girl out and make these books more accessible to a wider variety of readers.
***
I was provided with an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
***
I was provided with an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
February 9, 2026
This is one of those reads that had the potential to be something truly amazing and yet just fell short of brilliance. It still was a worthwhile read but not to the point I was wanting it to be. Charlie has misgivings about returning to the town that made his youth a need to escape vs strive. When his dad passes and his mom needs his help, he does what needs to be done and returns home. Nick is their for a restart with his bestie when he meets and starts to get to know Charlie.
The story mostly revolves around Charlie and him moving past his past and learning to love Firefly Valley. The author does spectacular on his story, it is the romance aspect of this story I didn't feel. Not to mention leaves more so on a HFN vs a HEA, to me that is not romance when the author says its HEA. Do not get me wrong I enjoy a good HFN but not when promised a HEA.
The story mostly revolves around Charlie and him moving past his past and learning to love Firefly Valley. The author does spectacular on his story, it is the romance aspect of this story I didn't feel. Not to mention leaves more so on a HFN vs a HEA, to me that is not romance when the author says its HEA. Do not get me wrong I enjoy a good HFN but not when promised a HEA.
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